Syrah is a noble Mediterranean grape variety which gives the best of itself in bright dry places like our Sicily. Because of this we have a great belief in the future of this variety in our island. From an extraordinary vine, Maroccoli at about 400 metres, in an unpolluted place, produces an interpretation of Syrah in a modern key while respecting the characteristics of the variety.
Powerful and imposing, this is a wine for long aging.

Territories & Wineries


Maroccoli
Sicilia Menfi D.O.C.
100% Syrah
2018 | Gambero Rosso | 3 Bicchieri |
2017 | Wine Advocate Robert Parker | 94 |
Falstaff | 93 | |
2016 | James Suckling | 93 |
2015 | James Suckling | 93 |
Wine Advocate Robert Parker | 93 | |
Vinous | 92 | |
Wine Spectator | 91 | |
Wine Enthusiast | 90 | |
2014 | Gambero Rosso | Tre Bicchieri |
James Suckling | 93 | |
Wine Advocate Robert Parker | 92 | |
Falstaff | 91 | |
2013 | James Suckling | 93 |
Decanter Asia Wine Awards 17 | Bronze | |
Wine Spectator | 91 | |
Wine Spectator | 91 | |
2011
|
James Suckling | 94 |
Wine Enthusiast | 90 | |
Wine Advocate Robert Parker | 90 | |
Vinous | 88+ | |
Drink Business – Global Syrah Masters | Gold | |
2010 | James Suckling | 93 |
Wine Enthusiast | 91 | |
Wine Spectator | 90 | |
Jancis Robinson | 15,5 | |
2009 | I vini di Veronelli | Tre stelle rosse |
Wine Spectator | 90 | |
2008 | Guida vini Siciliani (Giornale di Sicilia) | Vino a 5 stelle |
Sommelier Wine Award | Silver | |
Slow Wine | Grande Vino | |
James Suckling | 92 | |
Wine Enthusiast | 90 | |
Wine Advocate Robert Parker | 90 | |
Vinous | 90 | |
Vinous | 88 | |
Wine Spectator | 88 | |
2007 | Falstaff | 91 |
Wine Enthusiast | 91 | |
Wine Advocate Robert Parker | 90 | |
Vinous | 90 | |
Wine Spectator | 88 | |
2006 | Wine Spectator | 90 |
Wine Enthusiast | 90 | |
Wine Advocate Robert Parker | 90 | |
Vinous | 90 | |
Decanter World Wine Awards | Silver | |
2005 | Falstaff | 91 |
Wine Enthusiast | 91 | |
Wine Advocate Robert Parker | 88 | |
Vinous | 88 | |
Wine Spectator | 86 | |
Decanter World Wine Awards | Silver | |
2004 | Wine Spectator | 91 |
Decanter World Wine Awards | Bronze | |
2003 | Wine Enthusiast | 90 |
Vinous | 88 | |
Wine Spectator | 88 | |
2002 | Wine Spectator | 91 |
Decanter | Silver | |
Gambero Rosso | Tre Bicchieri | |
Jancis Robinson | 16,5 | |
2001 | Gambero Rosso | Tre Bicchieri |
Wine Spectator | 93 | |
Wine Advocate Robert Parker | 88 | |
Wine Enthusiast | 88 | |
Decanter | Bronze | |
2000 | Wine Spectator | 88 |
Wine Advocate Robert Parker | 87 | |
1999 | Vinous | 89 |
Wine Advocate Robert Parker | 88 | |
Wine Spectator | 87 |
Altimetry
370
Above sea level

Climate
20°Average temperature

Farming system
espalier with spurred cordon pruning system
Planting density
4.500 vines per hectare
Now
23.38°C
Cloudiness | 73% |
---|---|
Humidity | 63% |
Wind | 1.65mh ↑↖ |

- 1999
- 2000
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
-
Vintage distinguished by winter and spring with little rain, very hot August and cool dry September.
-
Almost perfect vintage; well concentrated reds with hot clear tannin.
-
A cooler summer (as in 2004) resulted in very fruity full white wines for slow maturation, and varietal reds with hot dense tannin.
-
Hardly any rain in winter and spring. Low production and very good quality in contrast with the rest of Italy.
-
Rather more rain than usual refreshed some of the harvest; reds with colour and body.
-
Cold wet winter and spring were a perfect preparation for the vines, harvest began 15 days late with cool temperate weather.Very fresh whites
-
Abundant spring and winter rain perfectly prepared the vineyards for summer and autumn ripening. The surprisingly fresh and cool temperatures of July, August and September achieved the rest, with the grapes arriving at the winery in perfect condition.
-
A rainy late-autumn and low temperatures, though not excessively so, have laid strong basis to a good vintage. The vines were able to rest in well-soaked soil. After a rainy winter the spring was particularly cool and dry. A mild summer provided for excellent ripening of both white and red grapes.
-
Grecanico wine is particularly excellent, just as the early varieties Chardonnay and Viogner. Fiano wine will get back to its highest quality, such as the 2001 vintage.
-
The result was a superb vintage, the indigenous varieties are absolutely excellent. Syrah is just perfect: a dry and luminous vintage provided us with a superior quality. The other French varieties are intense and varietal; the Nero d'Avola, the part of La Segreta Rosso blend, is at its top.
-
The harvest began with a delay of about 10-14 days (August 17). Temperatures have increased markedly since August 20, while maintaining the proper level of humidity and avoiding dehydration and concentration of the fruit. Harvesting grecanico ended the last days of September.
-
A fine consistent harvest, thanks to an almost perfect summer and autumn. The healthiest grapes and the amount produced in line with recent years. The whites, thanks to a cool July and first half of August, are very well balanced and with exciting aromatic profiles, particularly the early varieties such as Chardonnay and Viognier. The reds have turned out very well particularly for the aromatic profile, definitely distinctive as to variety with bursting fruitiness. Our favourites from the harvest; Shiraz and Nero d’Avola but the other French varieties have also done well. The harvest at Sambuca di Sicilia was completed on 28th September with the Grecanico which offers elegance and balance
-
Harvesting started on August 9, a little early compared to the five previous years. The white grapes yielded a significantly lesser quantity and were of outstanding quality, especially the Chardonnay and Grecanico varieties. Thanks to the diminished yield the red French grapes, most of all Syrah and Cabernet Franc, were even better. This means great colour and great structure; the Plumbago’s Nero d’Avola for instance displayed its magnificent fragrance to perfection.
-
Harvesting started on August 9, a little early compared to the five previous years. The white grapes yielded a significantly lesser quantity and were of outstanding quality, especially the Chardonnay and Grecanico varieties. Thanks to the diminished yield the red French grapes, most of all Syrah and Cabernet Franc, were even better. This means great colour and great structure; the Plumbago’s Nero d’Avola for instance displayed its magnificent fragrance to perfection.
-
Harvesting started on August 9, a little early compared to the five previous years. The white grapes yielded a significantly lesser quantity and were of outstanding quality, especially the Chardonnay and Grecanico varieties. Thanks to the diminished yield the red French grapes, most of all Syrah and Cabernet Franc, were even better. This means great colour and great structure; the Plumbago’s Nero d’Avola for instance displayed its magnificent fragrance to perfection.

Time of Harvest
10
september

Vinification
Destalking followed by 21 days on the skins at 25⁰C; after racking, malolactic fermentation follows in stainless steel and wood; maturation in barriques for 14 months


Alcohol Content
14,5%vol.

Aging Capacity
To drink at once or age for 7/10 years